Comments

Such a outstanding shot. Frozen in space and time. The majesty and the haunting of the subject is forever in the minds of all that view. Blown away, Motts.

Just to ellaborate on my last comment. Your expertise absolutely gives you the crendentials to make the photos a living history that will not be recorded in a way that anyone can relate to in the present sense. It takes an articulate person with your experience and focus to details to pull this off. You bring in people that would never understand what it was all about unless you anserwed the questions that was asked of you. You come off as an historian, a compassionate devotee of the mental healthj system of this country. My experience has been direct care and essentially management and experienced what was in the 60's, 70's , 80's and the 90's. Worked at Walter E. Fernald in the mid 60's where brutality was the norm of the day. As they used to call a back ward, where the stench of urine and feces were the norm of the day. Where the temp. hovered around 62 in the winter and in the summer was whatever the temp was outdoors. Poor pathetic folks who had no chance but to live in conditons that might equal the death camps in Nazi Germany. They were abused, they were treated as non persons and worse. I live somewhat with guilt that witnessed but I was young and a novice and was told in no uncertain terms to go along with the program. I then took a job at Mass Mental Health in Boston which was a very progressive mental facilty where Harvard psych students afficliated. The difference between the two was outstanding. Only the classic cases of mental health were accepted and the staff was an integral part of a progressive program. I then worked at Boston State Hosp. on an ward that took care of the mentally/physically ill. Again, a lot more abuse but also with staff that went out of there way to accomendate the poor souls who needed so much compassion beyond the capabilities that most people had at that time. My next job was at N.S.H. for an extended time. I have made so many comments of how I feel about the old place and how I so appreciate Motts photos because it brings back so many memories for better or worse. After I retired from all the things I had seen I took a job in Florida at Sarasota Fla. in a small psych hosp. in Sarasota that we called a theraputic community. All compassion and understanding. The mental health history has been long tortusous and so archaic, but as long as the folks who know what it' s all about and relate it to the wonderful folks who comment on this website, progress is being made. Thanks, Lynne and Motts for the wonderful photography and Lynne for documenting every photo in a way that has illuminated the commentators.

Lynne, whenever I start thinking I don't have the time to scroll through all the inane comments you do something like this to hook me again.

Oh my God, Marcia I'm sorry I read your e-mail wrong! It's been a long day. I didn't notice the "I doubt" part somehow. I am so sorry!
I know what you are saying, the picture was harmless to the clients because they couldn't understand it. Sorry but I thought you had said it could have been harmful. LOL I need to rest my eyes! I've been writing all day. Sorry about that again. Just ignore that alst comment, my bad. :)

Well I hope too many clients didn't see it then. That's what I was saying from the begining, if this was going to scare the clients maybe it was a poor idea to hang it up. You know what I mean? It's not your fault at all--whoever ran the class should have had the sense.
Thanks a lot for your explaination though. This must have been a very sad place to work in with all the damged people but at least you did your best to help them. It's a sad situation.

and i can still see in my mind the facial tongue flickering tics of this one woman as a result of long term antipsychotic use

Dixmont and all the other old beautiful buildings still seem alive to me. But one day they will disappear, to bad.

i really find this completely disturbing

Great pictures. An idea for a movie, maybe.

Actually "et cetera" is abbreviated as "etc." not "ECT"
Just thought I'd let you know.
:D

Oh Shawn you need to lay off of the horror flicks. BTW I want that in my house!! Imagine that in your living room. Love it!!

omfg.. i have to see this hole... I WILL SEE THIS HOLE!!!!

yo wassup, my house is right across the street from this stuff lol. i was friggin terrified when i moved there X[

There was a patient who walked around with a steering wheel - I believe his name was Bruno. I grew up in Thiells and always thought Letchworth was a very sad place. You pictures really capture it's sorrow.

Excellent!!!! You are toooo funny.